Inventory Change Thoughts - Need some Advice

[Craig Gottlieb]

As the new year rolls around, I'm thinking about changing the Gurkha House lineup a bit, and wanted to get some input from the forumites. The proposed change involves three models: the Panawal, the Bhojpure, and the 15/16 inch Ang Khola.

The Bhojpure and Panawal were meant to serve as GH's "heavier choppers." Well, after I received the single AK (that now belongs to Steven), I came up with an idea:

1) Replace the current Panawal with a 15 inch AK with a pin-designed handle. Basically, this is what the Panawal really is (it has an AK blade), but the khukuri named the "AK" seems to be bigger, beefier, and more well made (as Steven will attest to, owning both).

2) Replace the Bhojpure with the 15 inch AK with the traditional handle. It will still have the sword of shiva pattern, but will be bigger and beefier.

Of course, I'm also getting in the 18 inch AKs for those who want the be-all and end-all of choppers (besides the 20 inch AK, which is less of a knife and more of an axe).

What do you all say? I'm particularly interested in what Steven has to say because he has both the only GH AK thus far, and also has a Panawal. But everybody else (Bhojpure owners especially), please give me your comments.

I will keep the Silver Handled Bhojpure just for fun, as it does round out the collection nicely.

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Craig Gottlieb
Gurkha House
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[Steven F]

Craig, I think your proposed lineup is terrific -- especially regarding the Panawal/Ak issue. As an owner of a 15" Ak, a 15" Panawal, and a Bhojpure (which I no longer have), I have to say that the 15" AK is by far the beefier khukuri and my favorite of the three. The Bhojpure was too small and light to be even considered in the same class as the others -- in fact, I would not even consider it a chopper. However, both the AK and Panawal do their jobs well, for the most part. The AK is actually a bit over 16" long and has a nice, thick blade. The Panawal, though of rugged design, lacks the weight and size of the AK.
For extended periods of moderate chopping, interspersed with a few spurts of heavy chopping, the 15" (really 16") AK can't be beat. For extended heavy work, though, I think you have to go to an 18" blade. And since the AK and Panawal have essentially the same blade design, if they're both offered in 18" versions, it just becomes a matter of personal choice regarding handle type.
For a khuk intended for heavy chopping, I'm partial to the Panawal design -- which is why I placed a special-order for two 18" inch Panawals (and specified blades 9/16" thick and 2&1/2" wide) -- I wanted a pair of serious choppers that could take lots of abuse, yet would not have quite the bulk of the massive 20" AK (which I also own).
Overall, I really like the proposed GH lineup. I think it will offer a nice range of khuks for the person intending to really put them to use.

 

[Craig Gottlieb]

Steven:

Thanks for the advice. If you read one of the other threads, Mad Dog makes a similar suggestion to yours.

My suspicions confirmed, I will be making those changes. Look for them hopefully before Christmas. They WILL be here before Christmas (as will your special orders), but I might not have time to make the site updates. Of course, I say it again that I will be getting no more scrolled buttcap khukuris - so you've got the only one.



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Craig Gottlieb
Gurkha House
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